ABANK ROBBERY
Clancy sorry Udinese pinched James but admits he tried to nick him himself
TIM CLANCY will make the most of his limited time with James Abankwah having been snubbed trying to sign the new Udinese star.
Abankwak, 18, was the talk of the league last month when he landed a shock move to the Serie A club.
Saints have pocketed an up front fee in the region of €400,000 for the teenage centre-back and that could double - at least - over time.
Abankwah, who will play in tonight’s President’s Cup game, has been loaned back to the Inchicore club until the summer, so that he can complete his Leaving Cert..
And going into this Shamrock Rovers clash, new St
Pat’s boss
Clancy revealed he tried to sign
Abankwah when he was Drogheda
United manager.
Clancy said: “I remember watching James in an under-19s game at the start of last season. I was speaking to Stevie (O’donnell) and Sean O’connor and a few at the club at the time, trying to nick him off Pat’s and get him on loan for Drogheda.
“But they said no. He’s very well thought of and working with him before he got to Udinese, you could see there’s a very high ceiling in where James can go.
“Athletically he’s very, very good, and football wise he’s only going to get better. It’s a really interesting one to see how his career develops. It’s going to be a pleasure to work with him and see where he goes on after that.”
And Clancy hailed Abankwah for staying so grounded at St Pat’s since penning his Italian deal. “He’s been brilliant, a really good kid,” he continued. “Very well mannered, a kind kid and he’s got a brilliant attitude which bodes well for him in his career.”
While Abankwah is leaving, St Pat’s managed to keep hold of another rising star Darragh
Burns.
Hibs were leading the charge for the 19-year-old but had a number of offers slapped down in the January window.
Clancy said: “The club received a couple of offers that were nowhere near the market for the type of player that Darragh is and what he’s capable of doing. I still think there’s a lot to come.”
And all eyes will be on new goalkeeper Joseph Anang, 21, tonight as he steps up to replace Vitezslav Jaros, having joined on loan from
West Ham.
Clancy said: “You know the old saying, if they’re good enough, they’re old enough and that will continue as there’s a lot of good, young players here who will get a lot of game time.”